Female Reproduction Flashcards
comprised of
ovaries
uterine tube
Fallopian tubes
vagina
uterus
cervix
external genitalia
breasts
surgical removal of ovaries
oophorectomy
surgical removal of uterus
hysterectomy
surgical removal of uterine tubes and ovaries
bilateral salpingo-oopharectomy
surgical removal of urinary bladder
cystectomy
functions of the female repro system
produce gonads (sex hormones)
produce gametes
support and protect the developing embryo (implantation, gestation, amniotic fluid-shock absorber)
produce and nourish infant
what type of vulval arteries are there
2 external and one internal
blood supply of the external genitalia
vulval arteries
branches of iliac arteries
damage can lead to haemorrhage
arterial blood supply of external geneitalia
branches of internal pudenal arteries branch from internal iliac arteries
external arteries branch from the femoral arteries
venous blood supply of external genitalia
forms a large plexus of internal iliac veins
external genitalia lymphatics
superficial inguinal -> deep inguinal nodes -> external common iliac -> para-aortic
what is the perineum
diamond shape region inferior to the pelvic floor
extends from the base of the labia to the anal canal
consists of connective tissue, muscle and fat
what is the perineum divided into
anterior urogenital triangle: contains urinary and repro systems, anchors external genitalia
posterior anal triangle: contains anal sphincter
reaction is likely due to the moist environment, subject to friction
what does the vulva consist of
labia major
labia minor
vestibule
vestibular glands
clitoris
vaginal orifice
hymen
labia major
two large folds forming the vulval boundary
thicker anteriorly where they join to form the anterior commission
composed of fibrous tissue, fat and skin
large number of sebaceous glands and eccrine glands
anteriorly join with the pubis symphysis and posterior with the skin of the perineum
hair grows on the mon pubis and lateral labia major
labia minora
a small hair free folds
contains sebaceous glands and accrine glands
cleft in between the minora = vestibule
glands open into the vestibule
contains the external opening of the urethra and vagina
clitoris
sensitive erectile tissue, contains sensory nerves
sits anterior to the vestibule
prepuce of the clitoris = hooded skin fold
vestibular glands
secrete mucus to stay moist
found each side of the vaginal opening
ducts open immediately into the vestibule, lateral to the hymen attachment
what cat is Ca endometrium
2
what cat is Ca cervix
1
what is oogenesis
immature female gametes become mature ova
ovaries location
attaches to the upper part of the uterus by the ovarian ligament and the back of the broad ligament by the mesovarium
lie close to the lateral pelvic walls
ovary function
storage of female gametes and develop prior ovulation
maturation is controlled by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland secreting FSH and LH (gonadtrophins)
releases hormones essential for physiological changes during the repro cycle.
what happens when the ovum develops
oestrogen levels rise, after ovulation the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and a tiny bit of oestrogen and inhibin
FSH role
maturation of follicles, secretion of oestrogen results in ovulation, once ovulation occurs this is suppressed which prevents other follicles from developing and maturing in the same cycle
LH role
triggers ovulation, stimulates the development of the corpus leutem and progesterone secretion
structure of the ovaries
consists of a medulla and cortex
medulla = fibrous tissue, blood vessels, nerves
cortex = surrounds the medulla, framework of connective tissue which is covered by the germinal epithelium. ovarian follicles are found at numerous stages
before puberty these are immature and the storm contains immature primordial follicles
during puberty at every 28 days 1 or more follicles mature and rupture, where they are released into the peritoneal cavity from the ovary = ovulation
what happens to the ruptured follicle
develops into the corpus leuteum
is the FT attaches to the ovaries
not directly attached to the ovary however it is directly attached to the uterus
it is held in place by its own ligament, the top of the FT has fimbrae
gap between the FT and ovary
ovarian arteries
branches off the AA
ovarian branch of uterine arteries travel through the suppressors ligaments
ovarian drainage
plexus of veins to the ovarian veins
left ovarian vein -> left renal vein -> IVC
right ovarian vein -> IVC
where are the ovarian nerves supplied from
parasympathetic stimulation from the sacral outflow
sympathetic stimulation from the lumbar outflow
menstrual cycle
prepares the uterus for the nourishment and to retain the fertilised ovum
flow is controlled by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland
structure of uterus
uterine muscles accommodate the development of a foetus, secretions nourish the ovum before implantation and cells are nourished by the endometrial cells after three weeks the placenta takes over
foetus is attached to the placenta and the uterus wall, allowing for the baby to grow as it receives nutrients and oxygen
placenta secretes progesterone which stops the uterine walls from contracting in response to the progressive stretching, by the end oestrogen allows for the uterine walls to contract
uterus location
anterior = rectum
superior and posterior = bladder
anteverted
incline forward almost 90 degrees to the vagina so that its ant wall rests partly against the bladder from the vesicouterine pouch
retroflexion
turned backwards
lymphatic drainage of ovaries
pre-aortics and para-aortic
what surrounds and supports the structures
broad ligament - parametric
what ligaments are the ovary supported by
ovarian ligament
suspensory ligament
mesovarium
ovarian ligament
anchors medially to the uterus
suspensory ligament
anchors laterally to the pelvic wall
mesovarium
suspends ovaries between other ligaments
what are the regions of the uterus
body
fundus
body of the uterus
glandular tissue (adenocarcinoma)
narrowest inferiorly at the internal os where it is continuous with the cervix
fundus of the uterus
dome shaped
superior to the uterine tube made from muscular tissue
cervix
protrudes through the ant wall of the vagina, opening at the external os
uterine cavity
inferior to the uterus body
transformation zone
area between the cervix and body
cervical canal
inferior to the narrow cervix
internal os
opening of the cervical canal into the uterine cavity
external os
opening of the cervical canal into the vaginal canal
what is the outer epithelium of the cervix composed of
squamous epithelium
what are the three layers of the uterus
perimetrium
myometrium
endometrium
perimetrium
outer serous layer
part of the visceral peritoneum
laterally only the fundus is covered due to the double fold with the uterine tubes in the upper free border, double fold becomes the broad ligament, the lateral parts connect the uterus to the pelvic wall
anteriorly lies over the fundus and body where its folded onto the upper surface of the urinary bladder, the fold forms the vesicouterine pouch
posteriorly - peritoneum covers the fundus, body, cervix folding back onto the rectum to form the rectouterine pouch, a barrier between the rectum and uterus
myometrium
middle muscle layer
three layers if smooth muscle, fibres are interlude with areolar tissue, blood vessels and nerves
thickest at the fundus
thinnest at the cervix
endometrium
inner most layer
columnar epithelium, covering a connective layer containing lots of mucus glands
highly vascularised: rich blood supply, due to spinal arteries, branches of uterine artery
contains endometrial cells
the endometrium consists of two layers
functional and basal
what is the functional layer
responsive to hormones
lines with the uterine cavity thickens and becomes rich with blood vessels in the first half of the cycle, sheds during menstruation
basal layer:
not responsive to hormones
permanent layer, lies next to the myometrium
not lost in menstruation, gives rise to new stratum functionalis cells
what is the upper 2/3 of cervix lined with
mucous membrane
what is the lower 1/3 of cervix lined with
stratified squamous
arterial supply of the uterus
uterine arteries, branches of the internal iliac arteries pass up the lateral aspects of the uterus between the layers of broad ligaments
supply the uterus and the uterine tubes which join the ovarian arteries to supply the ovaries
venous supply of the uterus
follow the arterial route, drain into the internal iliac veins
lymphatics of the uterus
deep and superficial inguinal vessels drain lymph from the uterus and uterine tubes to the aortic LN and groups associated with the iliac blood vessels
what spread is most likely for SCC cervix
lymphatic
nerve supply within the uterus
parasympathetic: sacral outflow supplies the uterus and uterine tubes
sympathetic: lumbar outflow
what are the ligaments found at the uterus
broad
round
uterosacral
transverse cervucal
pubocervical
what is the broad ligament within the uterus
formed by the double fold of the peritoneum, on each side of the uterus, which hangs down from the tubes
the lateral ends attach to the pelvic wall
uterine tubes are enclosed in the upper free border and near the lateral ends they penetrate through the posterior wall, opening into the peritoneal cavity
round ligament within the uterus
fibrous muscle between the two layers of broad ligament attaching the uterus to the anterior abdominal wall
passes sides of the pelvis and then into the inguinal canal, which then fuses with the labia major
uterosacral ligament
originates from the posterior wall of the vagina and the cervix
extends back so that one side of the rectum is attached to the sacrum
transverse cervical ligament
extends from each side of the cervix and vagina to the sides of the pelvis wall
pubocervical fascia
extends forwards from the transverse cervical ligament on each side of the bladder attached to the posterior surface of the pubic bones
functions of the uterine tube
provide a route for sperm to reach the ovum
transports the ovum to the uterus
maintains mature ova in a variable state, fluid environment
at ovulation: infundibulum bends over the ovary, fimbrae stiffens and sweeps the ovary surface, cilia beats and creates currents in the peritoneal fluid carrying the ovum to the UT
ovum moves via ciliary movement and peristalsis
what is the UT lined with
ciliated columnar epithelium which have secretory cells which provide nourishment
where does the UT lie
upper free border of the broad ligament, trumpet part penetrates the posterior wall, into the peritoneal cavity
what is the UT covered by
visceral peritoneum, a middle layer of smooth muddle and lined with ciliated epithelium, uterine secretions nourish the ovum and sperm
where des fertilisation occur
in the uterine tubes where its propelled to the uterus for implantation
what is the transformation zone
where the endocervix and ectocervix meet
squamocolumnar junction
ectocervix
extends into the vagina
stratified squamous epithelium
endocervix
continuous with the uterine cavity
columnar epithelium, glandular
what is the vagina
fibromuscular tube which is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, opening at the vestibule at the distal end, the uterine cervix protrudes at the proximal end
runs obliquely at a 45 angle upwards and backwards between the bladder, rectum and anus behind
what does the upper end of the vagina hold
the vaginal vault, containing ant, post and lateral fornices
what is the hymen
thin mucous membrane, incomplete for menstrual flow, stretched during sex, tampon or child birth
describe the vaginal structure
outer layer (adventita) of areolar muscle, with connective tissue which anchors the vagina to adjacent organs
middle = smooth muscle
inner layer = stratified squamous epithelium whichbforms rugger, no secretory glands but kept moist from the cervical secretions
what secretes lactic acid and why?
lactobacillus acidophilus
maintaining the acidic environment, inhibits micro-organisms from growing
what are the upper vaginal lymphatics
obturator
internal
external
pre sacral
what are the inner vaginal lymphatics
inguinal
femoral
